OTTAWA — Canada has offered to provide surveillance equipment and expertise to the Nigerian government to help find more than 200 schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Islamist group Boko Haram.

"If Canada has surveillance equipment that is not in the region that could provide assistance to find these young girls, we'd obviously be pleased to provide it," Baird told reporters following question period Wednesday.

"Where we do have a concern is we will not hand over military equipment unless we can send the Canadians who can properly operate it," he said.

After meeting with Canadian International Co-operation Minister Christian Paradis, Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo issued a statement expressing his government's "deep concern" over the actions of Boko Haram.

Boko Haram leaders have said they intend to sell the girls into forced marriages.

Baird said the terrorists wouldn't win this one.

"These actions only strengthen our resolve to promote human rights and to stand up against terrorists who want to subjugate the rights of these young girls and women," he said. "The terrorists will not win."

France, Britain and the United States have also pledged to send in teams to assist Nigeria.